Word Origin & History

mastery early 13c., mesterie, "condition of being a master," also "superiority, victory;" from O.Fr. maistrie, from maistre (see master). Meaning "intellectual command" (of a topic, etc.) is from 1660s.

Example Sentences for mastery

Henceforth, I presume your great country will dispute with us for the mastery of the air.

I knew that no help from without would accomplish this mastery.

The spirit-key to an understanding of God's Word is surrender of will and life to His mastery.

He could only hope to get the mastery of him if he caught him asleep and off his guard.

By the use of his hand, he gains dominion and mastery over all that lives upon the earth, in the air, or in the depths of the sea.

If this feat of mastery were possible, then clear it was that I knew nothing of the sea.

Should he fling the priceless papers, the warrant for the mastery of the world, into the sea and be done with it?

In the one case as in the other, it was a strife for the mastery of the sea and its commerce.

There was no hint of mastery about him at that moment, only a gentleness that pleaded with her as with a frightened child.